Calculation Nation Match Games

Found out about this from mathmammoth.com's email.


Calculation Nation is a new, free, math games website from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

It currently has 8 games, each of which you can play against the computer or against other players that are online at the same time as you. You will need to register first (free).

All of the games are educational and well made. They include:

Ker-Splash introduces students to algebra as they try to rack up points by combining like terms.

A ball goes down a series of ramps and grabs either x, y, or plain number tokens. You need to figure out the best route for the ball, and combine like terms. The more points students earn, the more control they will have over the game board, which consists of trap doors. My kids really liked this one. I liked it alright as well. It's not very difficult - more for prealgebra level than algebra 1.

Square Off — Drag a rectangle to cover as many spaceships as possible, calculating the perimeter.

Factor Dazzle -- Find all the factors of a number to earn points. Then, choose a number for which your opponent must find the factors. Create and locate fractions on a number line to tell your shovel where to dig. Earn points for the amount of dirt you collect and the number of jewels you discover.

Times Square — Exercise your skill with factors and multiples! Try to get four squares in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. I liked this one! I've played it before somewhere else as well.

Dig It —Create and locate fractions on a number line to tell your shovel where to dig. Earn points for the amount of dirt you collect and the number of jewels you discover.

Drop Zone — Make sums of 1, using different unlike fractions, and prevent your opponent from making sums of 1. I liked this one!

Slam Ball — Slam the ball into the sides of the game board, and use your knowledge of angles, symmetry, and reflections to choose the best path

Fraction Feud — In each joust, earn points by creating a larger (or smaller) fraction than your opponent.